2011 was the Year of the Rabbit, but it wasn't very lucky for this earless bunny, born near Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in May. The plant has leaked large amounts of radiation after being damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, but it's unclear whether that caused this rabbit's mutation.

 

The disaster at Fukushima was one of the year's biggest news events, including its effects on local pets and wildlife. But lots of other big animal-related stories also unfolded over the past 12 months. MNN has collected 11 of the most intriguing ones here. (Text: Russell McLendon)